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Topic: Affordable/free camping idea (Read 6712 times)

I'd forgotten about it until now, but while riding on a recent cross country trip I found it interesting that some towns that were located on established A.C.A. routes (or had rail trails running through them) obviously catered to the bicycle tourists that were riding through their towns, yet many did not. We were always delighted to see a sign pointing out bicycle accomodations, supplies, cycle tourist's favorites (ice cream/ fresh fruit/ etc.). So many struggling towns in the U.S. that are begging for tourist dollars (and are located on regular bicycle routes) could be doing so much more to reach out cycle tourists. Offering a simple camping area for cyclists (as a number of towns do) would go a long ways to keeping some extra tourist dollars.

Yes, I did check guests' Warmshower pages.But when the director said it wasn't their job to do anything about someone with a recent sexual assault conviction - That's where I take exception.

He accused me of being a witch hunter.I said I didn't want anyone who did that to frat pledges in my home - And when informed about the probablity of such a conviction - Warmshowers should at the very least inquire.

I agree, no system is perfect -But when the desire to be counter-counter culture - Trumps common safety and prudence - That's when I get off the bus.

Wow, really great replies in this thread so far, everyone. I also see the money as the main problem, but it's also the problem with bicycle tourism in general because of needing multiple days to cover what would be a much shorter trip by car or airline. The thing is, though, with the price of gas going up and the economy getting ever tighter, it seems like affordable bicycle touring could increasingly be the only viable option for many people to travel. As one of the posts mentioned, there are a lot of small towns that could benefit from the business if they had a reputation for accommodating through-going cyclists. But to attract more people to travel by bike, the overall cost of a trip would have to be less than driving - besides all the other hurdles that discourage everyday people from setting off by bike. It's a catch 22 though, I think, because if traveling this way would gain popularity, there would be a stronger impetus to build dedicated long-distance bike highways. But of course, having the highway and affordable facilities up and functioning is what would cause word to spread that bicycle travel is doable, affordable, and fun.

Camping options have drastically changed in three decades. On my first Pacific-Atlantic crossing in '78, camping was never a problem. Free places were abundant. School yards, churches, city parks, ball fields, fire and police stations were frequently used. Even an occasional cemetery.

But today our culture has changed. There is a lack of trust by most everyone. As a retired professional, I'm now called a 'transient' and a 'bum' when I ask to camp at a police station. You can forget school yards completely. I was called a 'potential terrorist' by the town mayor of Fargo, GA last year when I asked permission to camp behind the school in the ball field.

Almost all city parks now have signs saying "No Camping". I find the "affordable/free camping" subject both frustrating and discouraging. Finding stealth campsites is increasingly more difficult. As others have mentioned in this subject, you certainly can't camp on property with 'No Trespassing' signs. I don't relish meeting an angry landowner.

Free camping is virtually a dinosaur. It is a relic of the past when your neighbor could be trusted. It's still possible, and I still try. Always I ask politely. And always to leave a clean, no trace camp when I'm permitted.

I'd like to see this subject continued and expanded from others who like to 'free camp'. Where do you stay?

I think the main issue is always money, so the OP idea is really a non-starter. I'm surprised at the problems some of the posters seem to have with camping and warmshowers. I've had so many great experiences, especially in the small, Midwestern towns. In the West, I generally have no problem with stealth camping on BLM/National Forest land. I would like to second the plea for more "hiker/biker" accommodations in all campgrounds and a little flexibility with RV resorts as well. At RV places more than once the management has REFUSED my money--full fee, mind you, with hookups--because we---the horror!--had a tent. That just flat out sucks at the end of really hard day with a storm coming in--the bastards. Once, on rolling into Folsom Lake campground near Sacramento, my wife and I were thoroughly worked, having cranked 70 miles on a loaded tandem trike WITH a dog and trailer, end of the day, all motels booked (we had checked), and the pea-brained idiot working the kiosk just said, "Sorry, we're full." There is TONS of empty space that would not impinge on any campers all over that place, but the jerks had NO flexibility for two totally exhausted cyclists. We couldn't just pick up and hammer another 10+ miles. We were done. I wanted to do violence, let me tell you. We pedaled around the campground, found a nice looking group, and asked if we could share their site, paid half, and took some of the scouts who were in the group for a ride on the tandem in the morning--great time, problem solved. May small-minded bureaucrats rot in hell.

dclifton I'm a former Marine and in April I'll be riding cross country for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund (www.opawakening.com). I have been in contact with 100's of MCL (Marine Corps Leagues) and VFWs. They all have told me that the doors are wide open. Before you take off call ahead to various MCLs / VFWs to ask if you can bivy in their location. Most will meet and feed you.

Also I have been bivying out of bounds my whole life and have never paid for accomodations. But then again I live in California and we are the BLM capital of the country. It is a crime to charge someone $35.00 to $50.00 to sleep in the dirt. I don't want to hear about the camp site's reasons why, but at $50.00 a night they better feed me, and read me a bed time story and then tuck me in. If sites in NP's where lets say 5 to 10.00 that may work. But the current rates in most NP camp sites is just highway robery.

Its sorta like when you drive through Yosemite NP (hwy 120 entrance) and they charge you to drive through to get to the eastern side fo the Sierrra. Its $20.00 no matter what. I use to tell the gate bunny that I was visiting friends in Foresta. They got savy to that and shut that excuse down. $20.00..... really!

One of the most common addendum updates to the ACA maps are:The XXX RV resort no longer accepts bicycles. Just like we are a nuisance. It is really sad to read those addendums. Lucas

I've wondered why many RV parks have said "no" to cyclists, too. Can anyone speculate (or actually been told by an RV campsite host) why on earth bike tourists are refused? Only thing I can come up with is that either 1 bad apple cycle tourist trashed the park at some point, or too many RV guests complained about the park allowing guests in that "weren't like them".

I have biked several times in the US and never really done any wild camping, all because of the fear of meeting an angry redneck/farmer with a shotgun in the middle of the night with a couple of aggressive dogs. Everywhere you see the "No trespassing - Violators will be prosecuted" notes on tree trunks etc. Thus, I have been very cautious and reluctant in that matter. Maybe it is just an overreaction? Maybe I have seen too many movies? .Lucas

If you're not from the US, I'll add that purple paint is equivalent to "no trespassing" signs in some states. If they've painted fence posts, trees, rocks ...etc with purple paint, it will hold up in court the same as if they put 'no trespassing' signs up.

Not trying to be a stick in the mud, but thought you might want to know.

I have biked several times in the US and never really done any wild camping, all because of the fear of meeting an angry redneck/farmer with a shotgun in the middle of the night with a couple of aggressive dogs. Everywhere you see the "No trespassing - Violators will be prosecuted" notes on tree trunks etc. Thus, I have been very cautious and reluctant in that matter. Maybe it is just an overreaction? Maybe I have seen too many movies? .Lucas

If you're not from the US, I'll add that purple paint is equivalent to "no trespassing" signs in some states. If they've painted fence posts, trees, rocks ...etc with purple paint, it will hold up in court the same as if they put 'no trespassing' signs up.

Not trying to be a stick in the mud, but thought you might want to know.